Fixture for testing cylinders



N0 7, 1950 c.|...rEs1-UT Erm.

FIXTURE FOR TESTING CYLINDERS.

Filed may 29, 1945 INVENTORS Char/es L. Tesm" BY n Ange/Q A l e ATTORNEY Patented` Nov. 7, 1950 UNITED FIXTURE FOR TESTING CYLINDERS Charles L. Testut and Angelo Zanetti, New York, N. Y.

Application May 29, 1945, Serial N0. 596,582

(Granted under the act of March 3, 1883, as amended April 30, 1928; 370 O. G. 757) 4 Claims.'V

The present invention concerns a xture for In construction of Diesel engines it is common practice to producev a cylinder liner and the surrounding water jacket in a single piece by casting. Due to combustion of the fuel within the cylinder, the liner and jacket casting is subjected to extremely high pressures with resulting severe mechanical stresses and in'addition is subjected to extremely high temperatures with resulting severe thermal stress. These and other stresses cause in the liner and jacket casting strains which tend to result in cracks. Such cracks occurring in the liner portion of the casting cause loss of compression and power as well as provide points of incipient failure of the entire'cylinder with potential damage to the engine. The occurrence of such cracks in the water-jacket portion of the casting causes loss of cooling liquid with resultant overheating of the cylinder and provides points of incipient failure of the entire cylinder with potential damage to the engine.

It is therefore necessary that such cracks be detected upon occurrence and to this end it is customary to provide a periodic check with hydraulic iiuid such as water under pressure when the engine is installed for use, and to providea similar check when the engine is overhauled or repaired. A complete check involves four separate hydraulic tests to insure that all parts of the liner and jacket are examined. First a lowf pressure test of the Water jacket is required and this may be made at a pressure on the order of 100 lbs. per square inch. Three tests of the liner are also necessary to individually test the highpressure portion of the combustion chamber defined generally by the piston at its point of maximum travel into the cylinder, the medium-pressure portion of the combustion chamber defined by the space between the exhaust ports and the outboard end of the cylinder and the low-pressure portion of the cylinder deiined by the piston at its point of maximum withdrawal from the cylinder.y Thethree latter tests are performed at pressures on the order of 1500 lbs. per square inch, 900 lbs. per square inch and 600 lbs. square inch respectively.

Previous test fixtures involve a bedplate for supporting and sealing the lower end of the liner, a headplate for sealing the upper end of the liner, a piston disposed in the liner andsupported on a piston rod threaded through the headplate. screwing of the piston rod in the headplate served to reciprocate the piston into desired position for testing, and water under pressure was introduced into the liner between the piston and the headplate. Such construction has the disadvantage of sealing the liner at both ends so that inspection of the interior of the liner during testing is impossible. It is therefore impossible to orient precisely the location of leaks on the inner liner surface and only a rough approximation of the general area of leakage can be estimated from the piston-rod position. A further disadvantage is that it is diflicult to prevent leakage of fluid past the piston-rod threads in the headplate since this area is subjected to hydraulic iiuid under pressure. A further disadvantage is that hydraulic pressure on the piston causes binding of the piston rod threads in the headplate so that it is necessary to slack off hydraulic pressure in order to turn the piston rod and effect adjustment of the piston in the cylinder. A further disadvantage is that separate xtures are required to test the linerand the jacket, and in testing the liner it is necessary to loosen the headplate for each separate test since the sealing gaskets require changing for each test.

The present invention overcomes these difficulties by providing a fixture having a bedplate that supports and seals the bottom of the liner and a headplate that is spaced from the top end of the liner. A piston is disposed in the liner and mounted on a rod which is longitudinally adjustable lrelatively to the headplate. This is locked in its adjusted position by means ofa transverse pin in the headplate which is insertable into a selected one of several holes in the piston rod to secure the piston in a selected position for performing the test. Water under pressure is forced into the space between the piston and bedplate in order to perform the test.

Thus by this. invention the piston can be quickly and conveniently located and locked in a selected predetermined position for test, yet the inside of the liner between the piston and headplate is open for inspection during the test to identify the exact location of leaks. At the same time, the location of the gasket to seal the end of the liner is transferred from the moving parts of the headplate to the bedplate where there are no moving parts. Also, the fixture is designed so that both the liner andV jacket can be tested, thus eliminating the need for separate fixtures.

An object of the invention is to provide a fixture for hydraulic testing of a Diesel-engine cylinder liner and jacket for leaks.

A further object is to provide a fixture having a bedplate for sealing the lower end of the liner, and a piston that can be rapidly and conveniently located in predetermined position to define the area to be tested.

A further object is to provide a xture in which the space inside the liner that is not Vfilled with testing fluid is open for inspection during the test.

A further object is to provide a fixture in which the bedplate which seals the end of the cylinder is free of moving parts.

i'nven'tif'in as comprisinga pedestal I I having a bedplate l2, a supporting column i3 and an ancliorplate I4 secured together by welding to provide a rigid construction. Bedplate I2 is provided with a central bore l5, threaded peripheral openings I6 and drilled passages Il and i8, disposed at right angles. An upstanding annular Vportion I9 is formed at the periphery of bedplate l2. Supporting column i3 is provided with a ce'ntral'bore 2l) and a lateral bore 2| extending from the outside of column i3 tov central bore 2l); Anchor plate I4 is provided with peripheral slots 22, a centrally depending lug 23 and a centralbore 24.

APedestal Il is adapted to be mounted upon a supporting member 25. Bolts 25 extend through slots 22 in anchor plate I4 and serve to secure 'the anchor `plate to support 25. y

Threaded into bore 2i at 2 is a hydraulic line .28 leading to a valve 29, the other end of which Yis connected by hydraulic line 3G with a pressure gauge 3l. A hydraulic line 32 connects the other end 'of pressure gauge SI with bore I8 by threaded connection 33. A central bore 34 is provided in supporting plate l25. of a hydraulic line 36 leading to a pressure gauge .3l and'through a line 33 to a valve 39. Hydraulic line 40.connects valve 39 with'a hydraulic pump 4I, the other end of which is connected by line 42 to a source of hydraulic uid (not shown). Threaded into each peripheral opening iSkin bedplate I2 is the lower end of a staystud 43, the upper end of which is adapted -to extend through a peripheral opening 44 in a headplate 45. Lock nuts 45 `and 47 on each staystud 43 serve to anchor headplate 45 in xed position. A central bore 48 is provided in headplate 45 and upwardly extending lugs 49 and 59 are provided on oppo site sides of bore 48. Aligned transverse bores 5I and 52 are provided in lugs 49 and 50 andare adapted to receive slidably a transverse pin 53 having a kn-urled head 54.

Disposed for vertical reciprocation in bore48 of headplate 45 is a piston rod 55 provided with thc transverse openings 55, 51, V58 and 59, any one of which can be aligned with bores 5I and 52 or" lugs 49 and 59, so that transverse pin 53 is engaged through the lugs and piston rod to determined position.

Threaded into bore 34 at 35 is one end i,

4 upper end of piston rod 55, is a handle 60 designed to afford a grip for an operator in effecting manual reciprocation of piston rod 55 when locking pin 53 is removed.

Secured to the lower end of piston rod 55 is a piston 6l provided with a centrally depending boss 52. A leather cup 63 is secured to the lower face of piston 6l and held in place by locking ring 64 and locking bolts 65. Leather cup 63 is provided with an annular sealing flange 66 adapted for sealing contact with the inner surface of a liner to be tested.

Piston rod 55 is provided with a central bore 6l. Disposed within bore 6l is a bleed line 68 provided at its upper end with a bleed Valve 69. Bleed line 68 is arranged to open into the lower face of piston 6I and at its upper end is arranged to open into the atmosphere at the upper end of piston rod 55.

A Diesel-engine cylinderlinerandwater jacket assembly to be tested is shown at l0. Assembly 19 comprises a cylinder liner 1I and al water jacket l2`int'egral therewith. Liner'll and jacket l2 can be formedin 'a single piece by casting if desired. Water jacket 'l2 denes a space I3 s-urrounding liner 'I I and 'a'dapted'for the circulation of cooling uid. Exhaust ports 14 are arranged peripherally around assembly l0..

Liner'assembly i's adapted to be mounted upon bedplate vI2 and a 'gasket 'I5 seated within annulus I9 is arranged to seal'the lower end of liner assembly l0. Studs 'i6 integral with liner assembly 'l0 are designed to depend from the lower end of the liner assembly through openings I'I in bedplate I2. A spacing collar I8 is arranged to be disposed about the lower end of each stud 'I and a lock nut 'I9 isfthreaded on the lower extremity of each stud T6 to secure the liner assembly E5 ih sealing engagement with bedplate I2. When pocked in position on bedplate I2, the cooling fluid spaceV T3 of the liner assembly is in alignment with bore I7 in bedplate I2.

Exhaust ports T4 are adapted to be sealed by peripheral strip 80 `secured around the outside of liner assembly "l0 and locked in sealing engagement with assembly lll by a .pair of split collars BI Ahaving lugs 8e2 whichare secured together by means of bolts 83.v

Operation of the device is .as follows. To Vprepare the fixture for making a test,locking pin 53 is withdrawn, and by means of vhandle 65 piston rod is manually raised Yuntil opening 59 vis aligned with bores 5I and 52 in lugs 49 and 59. Locking pin 54 is then inserted inplace to secure piston rod 55 against movement. In this position, piston 'E2 is at its maximum point of withdrawal from bedplate I2. Sealing gasket I5 is then vplaced on bedplate l2 within centering annulus I9, and a liner assembly 'I to be tested is placed in the fixture with the combustion chamber end thereof resting on gasket l5, and liner studs 16 dependingthrough bedplate I2. Each Ystud 'I6 may then loe-fitted with a spacing collar "I8 and nuts 19. Nuts Y'I9 are then tightened to seat rmly liner assembly VIll in 7place and to -insure Ythat the lower end ofthe liner is hydraulically sealed against bedplate I2 by gasket 15. Pin 53 is vthen removed and piston -rod-55 is lowered by handle B0 until opening Y56 therein is aligned with bores 5I and 52 in lugs 49 yand 5D in the position shown inFig. 1. Pinr53 is then inserted to lock piston rod 55 against movement. A When so' adjusted, piston 6Iv will be disposed within Yliner assembly 1I) in the position defining the highpressure portion of the combustion chamber and the position of the piston 6| corresponds to the position of the Diesel-engine piston in actual operation in its position of maximum travel into the cylinder.

The fixture is further conditioned for making a test by starting Water pump 4| and opening valve 39 to ood the xture with water. Trapped air within liner 12 between bedplate |2 and piston 6| is evacuated through line 6.8 by opening bleed valve 69. Spurting of water through bleed valve 69 indicates that trapped air has been completely evacuated. Presence of air within a xture is undesirable since it forms a compressible cushion that distorts the Value indicated on pressure gauges 3| and 31.

To make a W-pressure test of Water jacket 12, valve 39 is regulated until pressure gauge 31 indicates about 150 lbs. per square inch. Valve 29 is next regulated until gauge 3| indicates a pressure corresponding to that used inthe water jacket in actual operation. For a jacket of the type shown, a satisfactory pressure is about 100 lbs. per square inch. Water under the latter pressure flows through line 28 to valve 29 and on through line 39 and gauge 3|, into line 32 and passages i8 and |1, to fill the cooling space 13 dened between liner 1| and jacket 12. Valve 29 is then closed. l

After the cooling space 13 is filled with water the pressure can be maintained for a period of about ve minutes. If there is no leak in liner assembly 1B, the pressure indicated by gauge 3| remains constant. Should a low pressure leak be present, however, it can be detected by a drop in the pressure indicated by gauge 3| and the precise location of the leak can be ascertained by a visual inspection of the outside of jacket 11?. and the inside of liner 1|. Since both ofthese areas are completely open for visual inspection except for the small space defined below piston 5i inside of liner 1|, it is seen that the exact location of any leak can be easily detected.

The inside of the liner 1|, below piston 3| which defines the area of high-pressure combustion, can

next be tested. Valve 29 is closed and valve 39 regulated until pressure gauge 31 indicates a pressure corresponding to that encountered in actual use. A pressure of about 1500 lbs. per square inch is satisfactory for the type of liner shown. Valve 39 is closed to maintain this pressure for a period of about five minutes and any leakage is detected by a drop in the pressure indicated on gauge 31. Although the area being tested is not open for visual inspection, any leaks which occur are localized in the area below piston 5| and can be exactly located by subsequent inspection. Absence of leaks is indicated by steady reading of gauge 31.

To test the liner assembly for medium pressure leaks thrust pin 53 is removed and piston rod 55 raised by handle S9, or under the influence of Water pressure under piston 6|, until opening 51 therein is aligned with bores 5| and 52 in lugs t9 and 50. Thrust pin 53 can be replaced to lock piston rod 55 against movement. This position is indicated by dotted lines in Fig. l in which piston 6| denes the area of medium pressure combustion. Valve 39 is regulated until pressure gauge 31 indicates a pressure corresponding to that encountered in actual use. For the liner assembly illustrated, a pressure of about 900 lbs. per square inch is satisfactory and valve 39 can be closed to maintain this pressure for a period of about ve minutes. As in the previous test, any leakage is indicated by a drop in pressure indicated by gauge 31, and since the area .being tested is localized below piston 3|, the exact area of leaks can be found by subsequent inspection. Absence of leaks will be reflected from steady reading of gauge 31.

To test the liner assembly for low-pressure leaks, thrust pin 53 can be withdrawn and piston rod raised until opening 58 is aligned with bores 5| and 52 of lugs 49 and 50. Pin 53 is then reinserted to lock piston rod 55 against movement. In this position which is indicated by dotted lines for Fig. 1, piston 6| denes the lowpressure area of combustion. Ports 14 are hydraulically sealed by gasket 89 and clamps 8|.

Valve '39 is regulated until gauge 31 indicates a Y pressure corresponding to that encountered in actual use. For the liner illustrated, a pressure of about 600 lbs. per square inch is satisfactory and can be maintained for about ve minutes with valve 39 closed. As in the previous tests, leakage is shown by a drop in pressure indicated by gauge 31, and the exact area of leakage can be determined by subsequent inspection.

Testing pressures, time intervals, and other factors can be varied to suit the requirements of the particular shell or liner being tested. If desired, automatic instruments can be incorporated in the fixture to make records of the pressures, time intervals and other factors involved.

While the embodiment of the invention described above has been designed for use particularly for testing the integral liner and jacket assembly of Diesel-engine cylinders, the construction can be modied for testing a liner individually or for testing any open ended shell construction or similar arrangement.

Modifications and changes can be made in this invention without departing from the spirit and scope thereof as set forth in the appended claims.

The invention described herein may be manufactured and used by or for the Government of the United States of America for governmental r purposes without the payment of any royalties thereon or therefor.

What is claimed is:

1. A fixture adapted for testing for leaks in a cylinder liner and jacket of a Diesel engine, said xture comprising a sealing member adapted for sealing one end of the liner, a head member spaced from said sealing member and adapted to be spaced from the open end of the liner, a piston rod mounted for reciprocation relative to said head member, a piston on said rod adjacent said sealing member and adapted to be disposed in a plurality of predetermined positions within the liner in sealing engagement with the inner wall of the liner, locking means for securing said piston against movement in said predetermined positions comprising a sliding pin supported in said head member and adapted to be removably engaged in a corresponding plurality of transverse slots in said piston rod, means for introducing liquid under pressure into the space dei-ined by the sealing member, piston and liner, a pressure gauge to indicate leakage from said space, a bleeding valve providing an outlet for gas trapped in said space, means for introducing liquid under pressure into the jacket, and a pressure gauge for indicating leakage from said jacket, the space defined by said piston, wall of the liner and open end of the liner being open for inspection during test.

2. A iixture adapted for testing for leaks in a tube, said. fixture comprising a: sealing meme bergzadapted: for. sealingrone end of the tube,y a; head member spaced' from said sealing member-` and'adapted to be spaced from the open Vend of` the tube, a piston rod mounted for reciprocation relative1 to saidV head1' member; Aa l piston. on said rodfadjacentv said4 sea-ling :member: and adapted? tobe disposed inaf pluralityrof predetermined-iper," sitionsv/ithin4 the tubeinsealing? engagement nedby said-piston,'wall ofthe-,liner and open endzof the liner b'eingvopen for inspection during;

test'.

4. A xture adapted for testing for :leaks in a :5; tube, said. Xture comprising-a sealing member adapted to be spaced from the open end of YtheV tube, a piston rod mounted for reciprocation relawith-the:inner` Wallof theftube; locking.;meansy lo tive to said head member, a, piston on said rod forl securing.; said piston against movementin: said. predetermined' positions comprising'iaslidu ing. pinsupported in said.- head, mem-ber and adapted to-, be` removablyv engaged;A in. a Y corre spondi-ngl plurality of transversefslots ,-in? said. pis-iA l s ton rodfmeansrfor `,introdueing,liquid underfpresf`v sure v -into the-space denedrbythesealing mem.. ber,4 piston and Atubefa pressure :gauge-f to-indiv cate leakagefrom'lsaid: space,v a; bleed-ing val-veI4 providingr an outlet for gas trapped in said space,vv 2e the-'space-dened by said. piston, Wall: of the tube f andopen-'end of the tube-being open orinspec tion duringtest.

3.Y A xture adapted ,forftestingforfleaks inA a cylinderliner and` jacket of aY-Diesel-engine, saidV 25 fixturef comprising a ,sealingfmember adapted yfor sealing one end of4 the-,.liner, a head member spacedfrom said .sealingfmember and. adapted to bespaced. from the open end. of theliner, a .piston rod mounted for reciprocation relative toasaid :i

head member, a .piston on said rodradjacent said sealingk member and adapted to be disposed vin a'. plurality of predeterminedpositions Within-,the liner. insealingengagement .Withthe `inner wall ofQthe linen, lockingmeans,ior-seouring .said pis:vv 35 ton againstmovement in .saidpredetermined positions, means for introducing.fiuidunderpresw sure. into AYthe spaoedehed, by theV sealing -member, piston and liner, Ameanstoindieateieakagef fromrsaid-space, meansior introduoingliquid. 40

under pressure intothe jacket, and Hmeans for-.indicatingmleakage iromsaid'jaoket, the space de adjacent said sealing member and adapted to be disposed in a pluralityV of predetermined positiorLs within the tube in sealing engagement with the inner Wall of the tube, locking means for securing said piston against movement in said predetermined positions comprising a sliding pin supported in said head member and adapted to be removably engaged ina corresponding plurality of transverse slots in said piston rod, means forintroducing liquid under'pressure into the space defined by the sealing member, piston and tube, and a pressure'fgauge toindieateV leakage from said space;

CHARLES L. TESTUT.

ANGELO ZANETTI.l

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the le 0I" this patenti UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Y Name Date 1,059,598 Daniels et al. Apr. 22, 1913 1,356,358 Cone Aug. 24, 1920 1,649,994 Thal Nov. 22, 192'7V 2,216,268 Fritscne Oct. 1, 1940'V 2,342,616 OBrien' Febp22, 1944 FOREIGN PATENTS i Number Country Date 764 Great Britain of 1888 

